Blue & Gold Illustrated: Notre Dame Football And Recruiting

It happens almost every year. Some opponent that Notre Dame is supposed to beat - soundly - gives the Irish a tough game, and sometimes even knocks them off. The 2016 is filled with potential trap games, but which one is the scariest? Blue Gold Illustrated senior editor Lou Somogyi and football analyst Bryan Driskell debate which 2016 opponent is the biggest trap game.

Despite the loss of All-American Jaylon Smith and captain Joe Schmidt, Notre Dame is in position to put together a quality linebacker unit in 2016. Blue Gold Illustrated senior editor Lou Somogyi and football analyst Bryan Driskell discuss the impact Nyles Morgan can have on the defense, what to expect from James Onwualu in his senior season, and what will happen at the Will linebacker position.

Notre Dame faces a number of top opponents in 2016. Michigan State, Stanford, Miami, Texas, N.C. State and Navy all present problems for Notre Dame, but two opponents stand out above the rest. Blue Gold Illustrated senior editor Lou Somogyi and football analyst Bryan Driskell debate which opponent - USC or Virginia Tech - presents the toughest matchup for the Irish in 2016.

If Notre Dame is going to compete for a championship in 2016, its defense will have to improve. No unit will have a greater impact on the defense's ability to play at that level than does the defensive line. Blue Gold Illustrated senior editor Lou Somogyi and football analyst Bryan Driskell break down the depth chart and discuss which players are key to the Irish getting championship production from the front.

Blue Gold Illustrated senior editor Lou Somogyi and football analyst Bryan Driskell preview the 2016 Notre Dame offensive line. Despite losing 1st Round NFL Draft pick Ronnie Stanley at left tackle and two-time captain Nick Martin at center, the Irish expectations have not changed much for the line. The combination of tackle Mike McGlinchey and guard Quenton Nelson on the left side is expected to be one of the nation's top groups, but how will the rest of the line shake out? That and more is discussed in today's show.

Blue Gold Illustrated recruiting editor Andrew Ivins and football analyst Bryan Driskell recap Notre Dame's 2016 Irish Invasion. Notre Dame picked up three commitments from the event, and there was plenty of other recruiting news to discuss. The staff also breaks down the performance of the players on the field and previews what's next for Irish recruiting.

Blue Gold Illustrated recruiting editor Andrew Ivins and football analyst Bryan Driskell preview Notre Dame's premier recruiting event, the Irish Invasion. Notre Dame will have a number of elite prospects on campus, and those players are discussed. The staff also talks about which players are on commit watch, and what they would bring to the game for the Irish.

Notre Dame is bringing in a talented and deep group of freshmen, and several will have an immediate impact. Blue Gold Illustrated senior editor Lou Somogyi and football analyst Bryan Driskell debate which freshman will stand above the rest and make the most significant impact in the 2016 season.

Blue Gold Illustrated senior editor Lou Somogyi and football analyst Bryan Driskell preview the wide receiver and tight end positions for the Irish. Notre Dame loses the majority of its pass game production from last fall, and players without much experience have to emerge. Are they ready for primetime, and will the tight end become a bigger factor in the offense? Those questions and more are addressed in the latest edition of the Irish Huddle.

With football season now less than 100 days away, its time to begin previewing the 2016 season. Blue Gold Illustrated senior editor Lou Somogyi and football analyst Bryan Driskell begin the preseason discussion by previewing the quarterback position. The strengths of both DeShone Kizer and Malik Zaire are discussed, as is what both players must do to improve their game and seize hold of the position. An important question is how quarterbacks coach Mike Sanford can keep ultra-talented sophomore Brandon Wimbush happy and engaged while on the bench. The staff discusses that topic and offers insight on what the Irish might do.

Blue Gold Illustrated senior editor Lou Somogyi and football analyst Bryan Driskell discuss Notre Dame's latest quarterback commitment before getting into a conversation regarding whether or not Notre Dame has what it takes to be a title contender in 2016. Somogyi gives his five keys to Notre Dame's title teams from the past, and talks about whether or not Notre Dame has that kind of team in 2016.

Blue Gold Illustrated recruiting editor Andrew Ivins and football analyst Bryan Driskell give an update on where things stand with Notre Dame recruiting. Ivins was at the The Opening Regionals in Chicago and Columbus, Ohio, where a number of Notre Dame commits and prospects shine. The pair discusses several recent offers, the most important recruit in the class and where things stand at defensive tackle and linebacker recruiting before moving on to listener questions.

Blue Gold Illustrated senior editor Lou Somogyi and football analyst Bryan Driskell discuss the importance of being disruptive defensively, and what Notre Dame can or should do in order to become that type of defense. Of course, getting after the quarterback is one of the most important keys to being disruptive, as the four playoff teams from 2015 showed. The staff answers listener questions at the end.

Blue Gold Illustrated football analyst Bryan Driskell and assistant editor Andrew Owens review the 2016 NFL Draft, and where Notre Dame's players ended up. The staff reviews the fit of all seven picks before previewing the 2017 draft prospects.

Blue Gold Illustrated football analyst Bryan Driskell and assistant editor Andrew Owens preview the 2016 NFL Draft. Notre Dame has two players considered first round locks, but another eight could also see their name called. It is a deep draft and a lot could happen once it starts, which could impact where the Irish players ultimately get picked. The discussion ends with the latest on All-American linebacker Jaylon Smith, who is looking to climb up draft boards after a devastating knee injury clouded his future in the game.